Before mine eyes in opposition sits

Grim Death my Son and foe, who sets them on,

And me his Parent would full soon devour [ 805 ]

For want of other prey, but that he knows

His end with mine involvd; and knows that I

Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane,

Whenever that shall be; so Fate pronouncd.

But thou O Father, I forewarn thee, shun [ 810 ]

His deadly arrow; neither vainly hope

To be invulnerable in those bright Arms,

Though temperd heavnly, for that mortal dint,

Save he who reigns above, none can resist.

She finishd, and the suttle Fiend his lore [ 815 ]

Soon learnd, now milder, and thus answerd smooth.

Dear Daughter, since thou claimst me for thy Sire,

And my fair Son here showst me, the dear pledge

Of dalliance had with thee in Heavn, and joys

Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change [ 820 ]

Befalln us unforeseen, unthought of, know

I come no enemie, but to set free

From out this dark and dismal house of pain,

Both him and thee, and all the heavnly Host

Of Spirits that in our just pretenses armd [ 825 ]

Fell with us from on high: from them I go

This uncouth errand sole, and one for all

Myself expose, with lonely steps to tread

Th unfounded deep, and through the void immense

To search with wandring quest a place foretold [ 830 ]

Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now

Created vast and round, a place of bliss

In the Purlieues of Heavn, and therein plact

A race of upstart Creatures, to supply

Perhaps our vacant room, though more removd, [ 835 ]

Least Heavn surchargd with potent multitude

Might hap to move new broiles: Be this or aught

Then this more secret now designd, I haste

To know, and this once known, shall soon return,

And bring ye to the place where Thou and Death [ 840 ]

Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen

Wing silently the buxom Air, imbalmd

With odours; there ye shall be fed and filld

Immeasurably, all things shall be your prey.

He ceasd, for both seemd highly pleasd, and Death [ 845 ]

Grinnd horrible a gastly smile, to hear

His famine should be filld, and blest his mawe

Destind to that good hour: no less rejoycd

His mother bad, and thus bespake her Sire.